Can opener



Feb. 17, 1942; M: H. MEADE 2,273,414

CAN OPENER Filed April 24, 1941 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAN OPENER Matthew H. Meade, North Wilkesboro, 0. Application April 24, 1941, Serial No. 390,183

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to improve ments in can opening devices designed particularly for forming pouring openings in a can end.

An object of the invention is to provide a can opener of generally improved design.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a can opening device which is constructed Still another object of the invention is to provide a can opening device which is operable to open cans of more than one size.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a can opening device of th above character which is relatively simple and durable in construction and reliable in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a preferred form of the device in its initial position on the end of a can,

Figure 2 is a similar view partly in section showing the device in can gripping position,

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the same with part of the handle broken away,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view showing the arrangement of the device on completion of the hole forming operation,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail elevational View of the handle member,

Figure 8 is a side elevational View of a modified form of the device, and

Figure 9 is an end elevational view of the same. v

Referring to Figures 1 to '7 inclusive, wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention, C designates a clamping section of the shaped so that device having a flat body plate In formed at one end with laterally projecting fingers At opposed sides of the plate l0 are formed right angularly projecting complementary flanges |2 apertured to engagethe ends of a pivot pin l3 mounted transversely of the plate. The flanges l2 are formed integral with a pair of outwardly diverging legs formed at their outer ends with hooked jaw-forming projections l5 preferably shaped to provide an acute angled gripping edge l6.

To the pivot pin I3 is connected the inner end of an elongated fiat lever bar ll, of a length sufficient to form an operating handle. The inner portion of this bar is provided with a slot H3 at which portion the bar is bent longitudinally to form a pair of transversely spaced bearing sleeves l9 embracing the end portions of the pivot pin IS. The inner bent portion of the lever bar is prolonged to form an arcuately bent outter element 20, curving away from the outer face of the bar at the pivoted end and preferably of triangular contour, providing beveled side edges tapering to a sharp point at the outer extremity. This cutter is, therefore, fixed with relation to the lever Pivotally connected with the clamping section C is a complementary clamping member 2| in the form of an elongated fiat arm of angular formation having its inner end apertured to pivotally engage the center portion of the pin l3. At its outer end the arm 2| is formed with a downwardly hooked jaw-forming portion 22 its inner edge provides a protruding lip 23. Adjacent to and inwardly of the jaw 22 the lower edge of the arm 2| is shaped to form a triangular-shaped projection forming an inwardly spaced jaw 24!.

To an angular bracket 25, secured to one face of the handle lever l1, adjacent its inner end, is connected, by a pivot 26, the inner end of a bar 21 disposed above and parallel with the arm 2|. This upper bar is curved longitudinally and carries a pair of spaced laterally projecting studs 28 and 29 on its outer end portion. To the outermost stud 28 is connected one end of a lever 30 approximately in the form of a bell crank lever having its relatively long arm disposed so that its outer apertured end turns about the stud 28 while its inner end is apertured to turn about a stud 3| secured to and projecting laterally from the clamp arm 2|. The inner portion of the lever 30 is formed with a'hooked cutter forming spur 32 designed to puncture a can end and form an elongated slot therein. To the stud 29 is connected the outer slotted end of a companion bell crank lever 33 having its inner end pivotally connected with a stud 34 on the clamp arm and formed with a cutter spur 35.

About one sleeve section I9 of the handle lever is coiled a spring 36 having one end extended through a hole 31 in the arm 2| and, its opposite end engaging a notch 38 in the outer edge of the plate In, this spring functioning to yieldingly retain the clamp arm 2| in a predetermined angular position with relation to the clamp member C. As clearly shown at Figure 1 the spring 36 normally urges the inner end portion of the angu- 1 lar arm 2| against the outer portion of the plate ll so that the inner yieldingly held so as obtuse angled relation with the plate I and the extension legs l4, although movable about the pivot l3 to Widen of the clamp section with reference to the handle and to 'yieldingly retain the mately right angular positions ure '1.

The device normally assumes the arrangement and is initially fitted on the top end of the can as. shown at Figure l, with the complementary jaws of the clamp section C disposed against same at approxiarcuately spaced points of the peripheral -'seam' and the diametrically opposed front jaw 22- placed on the margin of the top. The handle I! is then swung inward toward verticality so as to spread apart or open the clamp sections and their jaws from their normal angularly contracted arrangement and slide the jaw 22 over the'rim or'peripheral margin of the cantop to grip the-same, as illustrated at Figure 2. The handle l 'i is then swung quickly outward and wise direction, without depressing the intermediate pivot joint of the clamp sult that the curved relatively large triangularshaped cutter 2t and the hooked cutter 32'are simultaneously swung to= downward positions into engagement with the top and, during continued downward'movement of thehandle; puncturing the cover at diametrically opposite points. small cutter 32 forms a-comparatively narrowslot disposed radially in one margin of the can end while the larger cutter 26- cuts -a wedge-shaped part of the cover therefrom and rolls the same downwardly and inwardly as'shown toadvantage at Figure 4. This cuttin action provides a pair of cleanly cut holes affording a vent opening of relatively small inwardly on the clamping arm 2|; in which case by. the hooked cutter .spur 35 simultaneously with the cutting of Ythe pouring the vent slot is cut edge portion of this armisto assume a, predetermined this angle, as illustratedat. Figure 2. About the opposite bearing sleeve IQ" of th'ehandle leveris coiled a second' spring 39.- having one end fittedin" a notch at the inner yedge of the cutter 26,-asincl-icatedas shown at Fig-' downward, in a clocksections, with there-- The- area at one point of the top and a relatively large pouring opening in an' that portion opposed to the opening. While this device may be advantageously used in connection with cans of varying construction and different types of end sealing joints or seams it is especially adaptable for cans known as sealed cans in which the ends are equipped with peripheral flanges slidably fitted over the ends of the circumferential wall and sealed by solder. This type of end connection, widely used in canning milk and the like, affords but a'thin peripheral flange or beading about the can. However, my improved clamping and jaw means very efiectively engages such rim construction and enables very convenient opening or puncturing of the ends of such a can. Further- .more; the device is very easily handled and manipulated to effect the puncturing action and, due to the arrangement of the three gripping jaws, accurately positions itself to cut the openings in diametrically opposed positions to insure eflicient pouring of the contents of a can. As will be noted, the device ,is firmly held in place by the spaced-apart-jawsl5'-atoneside and the diametrically opposedjaw 22 while undue tilting of the handle lever is prevented by the laterally projecting fingers l I."

In a modifiediform .of the device shown at Figures Sand 9 an angular clamping arm 43 is pivotally connected wtih the double jawed clamping section 44 and is serrated along the major length of its top edge to form t eth 35'.

Slidably mountedzon. the arm 43 is a member fiembodying a fiatvelongated bar formed with a slot 47 shaped to slidably receive the arm therethrough.-

may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope or the subjcined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a can opening device, a clamp member having spaced apart ing lever connected to the said pivot, means yieldingly urging the said clamping elements to contracted gripping positions, a cutter formed to simultaneously actuate the cutt turing the can end at diametrically opposed points.

2. In a can opening device,- a clamp member having spaced apart can gripping 'jaws,a clamp ing arm having a gripping jaw on its outer end, a pivot connecting the inner end of the clamping arm with the said clamping member, an operating lever connected to the said pivot, spring means yieldingly urging the said clamping elements to contracted positions, a cutter formed on and projecting from the operating lever, a cutter pivotally mounted on the clamping arm, a bar connecting the last-mentioned cutter with the lever whereby the said lever is operable to simultaneously actuate the cutters for puncturing the can end at diametrically opposed points, and means for yieldingly retaining the operatingj lever in a predetermined angular relation with the clamping member.-

3. In a can opening device, a clamping section having spaced jaws adapted to grip the rim of a can end, a clamping arm having a jaw formed at its outer end for gripping the said can rim, a pivot connecting the inner end of the arm with the clamp section, a spring disposed to normally retain the said clamp arm and clamp section in contracted angular relation, an operating lever connected to the said pivot, a cutter projecting from the inner end of the operating lever and operable to puncture the can end to form a pouring opening, a pair of cutter levers pivotally mounted in longitudinally spaced relation on the clamping arm, a slot cutting element formed on the inner end of each of the said levers, and a bar connecting the said cutter levers with the operating lever whereby operative movement of said operating lever actuates the cutters to simultaneously puncture the can end at diametrically opposite points.

4. In a can opening device, a clamp section having jaw means adapted to grip the rim of a can, a clamp arm pivotally connected to the said section adapted to extend transversely of a can top and having a rim gripping jaw at its outer end, a spring mounted at the said pivot connection having its ends bearing against the clamp section and arm respectively for yieldingly holding the jaws thereof in contracted! relation,

means formed on the clamp section in engagement with the arm for limiting the jaw contracting movement thereof, an operating lever pivotally connected to the clamp section and yieldingly held in a position at approximately right angles thereto, a cutter at the inner end of the said lever operable to puncture the can top to form a pouring outlet when the lever is swung downwardly, a lever pivotally mounted on the outer portion of the clamp arm, a cutting spur formed on the inner end of the said lever, and a connecting bar having one end pivotally connected with the cutter lever and its opposite end pivotally joined to the operating lever for operation of both cutters for puncturing the can top upon downward swinging movement of the operating lever.

MATTHEW H. MEADE. 

